The United States is facing its first government shutdown in almost seven years, with the White House warning that mass layoffs of federal workers could begin within two days if the deadlock continues.
The shutdown started on Wednesday after lawmakers failed to approve a spending bill before the midnight deadline. A vote to resolve the impasse collapsed quickly, and the Senate adjourned without any agreement, leaving no clear path forward.
At the center of the standoff, Democrats are pushing for stronger commitments on healthcare funding for low-income Americans, while Republicans insist on passing a short-term spending bill to keep government functions running until mid-November.
Vice President JD Vance and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed Democrats for the shutdown, calling it a case of political brinkmanship. Vance said layoffs would be unavoidable if the standoff drags on, while Leavitt warned that the first wave of cuts could happen within 48 hours. Analysts estimate that nearly 750,000 federal workers, around 40% of the workforce, could face unpaid leave. Essential workers, including military personnel and border agents, may be forced to continue working without pay. National parks, travel operations, and other services are also at risk of major disruption.
Some workers were already furloughed on Wednesday, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of permanent layoffs if the shutdown persists.
Democrats, however, rejected claims that the crisis is tied to healthcare for undocumented migrants. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the accusation as false, while Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of trying to “bully” their way through the negotiations. Senator Chris Murphy urged Republicans to return to “serious discussions” to end the deadlock.
Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress but lack the 60 Senate votes needed for approval, argue that passing a stopgap bill is the only option to avoid further harm. Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Democrats of “taking the American people hostage,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson said there was “nothing left to negotiate.”
The uncertainty has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers and millions of Americans bracing for the economic and human fallout of a prolonged shutdown.
